Morning Links: Botched Sculpture Restoration Edition

A church in Spain turned over the restoration of a 16th-century sculpture over to a local handicrafts teacher, and it didn’t go so well. In something of a bad re-up for the ages, the work is now being compared to the famed “Ecce Homo Monkey Christ” work. [The Guardian]

Believe it or not, there are downsides to stealing art. “Criminals don’t understand that,” according to art historian Noah Charney, “because their knowledge of art crime is based on fiction and films.” [Bloomberg]

The Film World

David Lynch has clarified his comments about Trump, which he says were taken out of context. “It’s not too late to turn the ship around,” he wrote in a letter to the President posted to his Facebook page. [Vox]

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Art+Film Gala will this year honor photographer Catherine Opie and The Shape of Water director Guillermo del Toro. [The Hollywood Reporter]

Around New York

Fourth time’s the charm. Following a protest and controversy, New York’s Landmarks Preservation Commission has finally approved the Frick Collection’s proposed plan to expand and renovate its building. [The New York Times]

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Dia:Beacon’s opening, locals reflect on what the museum has done for the upstate New York town where it’s based. Here’s one interesting fact: in the 15 years Dia:Beacon has been around, there’s been a $150,000-plus rise in the average median price for a home in Beacon. [Curbed NY]

The Talent

The Film London Jarman Award, which comes with £10,000 and recognizes a United Kingdom–based artist making moving-image work, has named the nominees for its 2018 prize. [ARTnews]

Washington State University’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art has picked Robin Held as its new executive director. She had previously been deputy director at the Frye Art Museum and curator at the Henry Art Gallery. [Press Release]

Speaking Out

The Association of Art Museum Directors has spoken out against the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Donald Trump’s travel ban. “We believe that this is a time where the world needs more cultural exchange that fosters understanding, not less,” the organization wrote in a statement yesterday. [Twitter]

According to one new report, Mizrahi artists—creators of Middle Eastern origin—may have a more difficult time finding gallery representation in Israel than those of other groups. Some curators speculate that the reason for this is not prejudice but larger structural power imbalances. [Haaretz]